Kousa Dogwood Care Guide

Getting Started with Your 4" Plant

Your plant arrives in a small 4" pot, so it has limited root space and will dry out more quickly than a larger container. Water it promptly on arrival, keep it out of harsh afternoon sun and wind at first, and plan to transplant it into a larger pot or a prepared garden bed once it has settled in and begun to grow.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist while your tree is becoming established. Small pots can dry out quickly in hot or windy weather, so check them often. After planting, water deeply and regularly until the root system becomes established. Kousa Dogwood has shallow roots, so a few inches of mulch around the root zone helps conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures. Once established, it is more drought tolerant than native flowering dogwood but still appreciates watering during extended dry spells.

Sunlight

Kousa Dogwood performs best in full sun to partial shade. In hot climates, light afternoon shade helps keep the foliage looking its best, while full sun generally encourages the heaviest flowering in cooler regions.

Soil

Plant in moist, well-draining, slightly acidic soil. Kousa Dogwood tolerates a range of soils but can develop yellowing leaves in high-pH soils and may suffer root problems in heavy, poorly drained clay or waterlogged conditions.

Fertilizing

Kousa Dogwood generally does not require heavy fertilization. Once established, if additional nutrients are needed, use a balanced fertilizer formulated for acid-loving trees and shrubs in early spring and follow the manufacturer's application instructions.